LOUVRE AUCTIONING TIME WITH MONA LISA

The Louvre is offering time close-up with the Mona Lisa through an auction to help plug a gaping hole in its finances. The highest bidder will get the chance to witness the annual examination of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, usually only glimpsed through a crowd. Also going under the hammer is a Pierre Soulages painting, a Vacheron Constantin watch and a walk on the roof of the 800-year-old Louvre. Christie's hopes the auction will raise more than US$1.2 million. The Louvre is expected to lose up to US$110 million in revenue this year.